Don’t be a stereotype
Many aspiring “filmmakers” procrastinate actually creating films. They tell everyone they know that they are a filmmaker and spend the majority of their time just watching movies. While watching movies is great and can help you find inspiration, you need to act on those ideas. This is the difference between a film buff and a filmmaker. A film buff has a love for movies and spends their days watching and researching already created movies. Most filmmakers do this too, but they then channel this effort into their own films which they shoot.
Stepping out of your film comfort zone
Often times, beginner filmmakers will be afraid of creating their first film. They either feel their equipment is inferior or fear failure. An important realization is that good equipment does not make a good film or filmmaker. Most film classics were released during the 1970s, when film resolution wasn’t necessarily a priority. Instead, this time and attention was put into writing and developing a compelling story, which literally ANYONE can do! With smartphones, almost every person has access to a good camera and microphone and has the ability to start shooting.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t expect your first film to be amazing. If you were to ask some of the greatest directors what their first film was, they would tell you it was awful. They did not let that discourage them. Quentin Tarantino did not start at the skill level of writing and directing Pulp Fiction and Stanley Kubrick didn’t just stumble upon the talent to direct A Clockwork Orange. These stars’ talents were acquired over time and took years to fully grow.
Go make a film!
I now challenge you to go outside and make a microfilm. It doesn’t have to be long. Your film can be anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes, but starting it is the first step in achieving your goals. Be sure to post your films down in the comment section. If you like posts like this, be sure to subscribe to IN FOCUS and stay on track to becoming a filmmaker.
In Focus 